Omar Sayeed Extravagant Fashion Show Stole Many Hearts at DIL Annual Gala

It was an evening of international glamour and ethnic fashion extravaganza on Saturday, September 24 2017 as Developments in Literacy (DIL) hosted its 14th annual fundraising gala, at Omni Galleria Hotel with a “Hollywood Nights” theme. Prominent community leaders from diverse backgrounds joined hands to raise funds and awareness for a global cause.

DIL is an non-profit organization with a mission to “educate and empower underprivileged students, especially girls, by operating student-centered model schools; and provides high-quality professional development to teachers and principals across Pakistan”.

The Chapter President Dr. Huma Nawab and gala co-chairs Dr. Sippi Khurana and Ajay Khurana hosted five hundred guests and helped DIL raised over $300,000. A big help was given by the “diamond-level” sponsors (sponsors who donated from $20,000 to $25,000), including Arthur Lawrence, the Altus Foundation, Shaista and Shahzad Bashir, and Salma and Riaz Siddiqi. Another notable guest was the new Pakistani Consul General, Ms. Aisha Farooqui.

The event itself was emotive and lively. To offer information about DIL, a touching video played and touched upon the charity’s mission and impact. The video showed interviews with former DIL students that reminded all the evening’s guests of the importance of education and the staggering impact it can have on a person’s life.

This Hollywood glamour themed gala also featured a stunning fashion show by talented and notable Pakistani designer, Umar Sayeed choreographed and produced by Simran Rihal, a local fashion designer and philanthropist. A dazzling show with the appearance of celebrity model/actor Mirza Zain Baig on the runway. The venue, decorated by Deco Arts, added to the feel of a luxurious Hollywood evening with lush white linens and sparkling crystals assorted throughout. The event came to a traditional Desi conclusion with a late dinner served by the reliably delicious Mezban, one of Houston’s favorite Pakistani restaurants.

Amongst the glamour squad supporting this noble cause were: Mona and Wasay Khan, Sukania Rajani, Mustafa Mehr Aziz, Dr. Neelofur Ahmad, Stephane Von Stein and Ralph Burch, Mirwat Sami, Pinky and Mansoor Zaidi, Habiba Dhanani, Sabiha Rehmatulla, Azra Rauf, and many others.

To learn more about DIL, visit www.dil.org.

Input By Meher Qazibash
Photo Credit: Morteza Safataj Photography